Limousine driver denies child enticement, other charges against him

SOLON, Ohio -- A man who Solon authorities are accusing of impersonating a
police officer and trying to lure two children into his limousine vehemently
denies the charges against him and says his business has already hurt because
of the allegations.

Robert Konst on Monday said he never
intended to hurt the two 12-year-old boys the morning of Nov. 3, when Solon
Police contend he told the children they could get in the limousine and take
pictures.

Konst said he was in the limousine's driver's seat when he saw
the children run toward the vehicle, which was parked in the lot of strip mall
on Aurora Road.

"The first thing the kid says is 'Can we get a ride?'" Konst
said. "And I said, 'You know what? This is why you don't ask people (for a
ride) because one of these days, someone is going to snatch you, and you (are
going to go) missing. You don't do that.'"

Konst said he told the boys they could get a picture from
the outside of the limousine. But, he said, the children ran away.

He said he never told the boys he was a Cleveland Police
officer. He added that the children saw his Cleveland Police friend badge when
he was trying to get money out of his wallet, where he carries the emblem.

A police report shows Solon Police located
Konst inside a laundromat in the strip mall. A search of his vehicle yielded a loaded
9 mm gun.

Konst, 67, initially told officers he
was not carrying a gun despite being licensed to have a firearm. Konst,
of Bainbridge Township, on Monday said he denied having the gun with him because
he had forgotten where he had placed it.

Konst, who goes by the alias of "Hollywood Bob," said he has
been a limousine driver for 29 years, mostly in the Cleveland area. He said he
has serviced several professional sports players and managers, politicians and
celebrities.

Konst's attorney, Scott Fromson, said his client has lost at least two limousine services since the incident became public.

Fromson added Konst agreed to let police
search the computer and camera that were in the front of the 14-passenger
limousine during the incident.

Fromson added that Konst's police friend badge and firearm
are in police custody while the investigation continues.

A Nov. 20 hearing has been scheduled
for Konst at the Bedford Municipal Court. He faces two counts of impersonating
a police officer, two counts of criminal child enticement and a single count of
carrying a concealed weapon, which stems from his denial about having a firearm.